what we do

Improving Women's Education

In Somaliland, before 2000, women’s access to education at all levels was very low. Due to the vicious cycle of poverty and cultural rigidities, parents used to prefer to educate boys rather than girls. Currently, girl’s enrolment rate is more than that of boys (in some urban areas).

In the higher learning institutions, the number of female students has significantly increased, and for the coming years they may outnumber male students.

Women’s Reproductive Rights

Tawakal  campaigns for human rights for all social groups, but very specifically focused on the rights of women which is due to the specific circumstances of women in a male dominated society. Tawakal, along with the other CSO, advocates for incorporating these international conventions and instruments on human rights into the national legislation.

In order to convince policymakers, Tawakal employs solid arguments to raise public awareness with the purpose of the attitudinal change to the fundamental rights of women in order to change discriminatory laws, e.g. customary rules against women, and documenting, investigating and monitoring of violence against women.

Women’s Economic Empowerment

In Somaliland, a woman’s right to own property was not understood due to historic and traditional norms. It was also the norm that men go to work whilst the women remain at home. However, in the aftermath of the 1988-1996 civil wars, many of the men suffered post conflict stress disorders which lead them to madness or to become unable to provide for their families. As a result, women had no choice but to become the main breadwinners for their households.

Hundreds of mothers took the responsibility of managing their respective family’s finances. Likewise, many men became heavy qat (drug) chewers which caused them to be absent from home for long periods during the day and night. And again, it was the mothers who took the lead without the presence of fathers.

Participation of Women in Decision Making Process

Women were absent from the 1991, 1993, and 1997 Grand Conferences which laid the foundations for current Somaliland despite their logistical support in these conferences. The main reason for their absence was that the dominant clan structure does not provide a mechanism for women’s involvement in such political processes.

Tawakal believes that women’s participation in the decision-making process can be a master key to realize a meaningful life, i.e. Access to all other rights including equal economic opportunities and inclusive decision making for all social groups. Currently, 71 women political aspirants who have political interest for the coming parliamentary elections were registered, yet they don’t have supportive means. Throughout the democratization process in Somaliland, the question of women’s fair participation and women’s competition – equity questions in relation to the social, economic and legal factors have not been addressed. The quota system has been proposed by women activists as a transitional and alternative approach for women to enter parliament and the local councils.